Separable fastener



1966 o. SCHWENDT SEPARABLE FASTENER Filed May 26, 1964 FIG. 7

INVENTOR. (7.620 'flliweizdfi United States Patent SEPARABLE FASTENER Otto Schwendt, Wuppertal-Barmen, Germany, assignor to Ri-Ri Werke A.G., Mendrisio, Switzerland Filed May 26, 1964, Ser. No. 370,260 Claims priority, application Germany, May 28, 1963,

13 Claims. (Cl. 24-20511) The present invention relates to an improved fastener or zipper wherein both of its rows of coupling elements are completely separable from one another due to uncoupling terminal members seated at each row of coupling elements when a fastener slider moves into its open position. Furthermore, the separation movement takes place transverse to the direction of movement of the slider in the plane of the breadth of the fastener and brings out of engagement projections of both terminal members which mutually support themselves in this direction of movement, and whereby the terminal member detachable from the terminal member guiding the slider is moved through an associated lateral slot of the aforesaid fastener slider.

Fasteners in which both of the rows of coupling elements can be completely released from one another after the slider has moved into the open position are already known to the art in numerous physical constructions. As a general rule, at the end required to be separated of the row of coupling elements which guides the slider there is provided a sleeve component which displaceably accommodates inwardly and outwardly thereof, approximately in the direction of movement of the slider, the correspondingly configured terminal member of the other row of coupling elements. Such physical structures have not proven satisfactory insofar as there is not ensured that upon providing the connection the terminal member can be brought to the necessary depth internally of the sleeve body and securely held therein until the fastener slider is moved in the closing direction. As a result, there exists the danger that upon moving the fastener slider in the closing direction the rows of coupling elements at the starting portion are not positively interhooked or interengaged with one another, so that they can loosen from one another. In such case, there is then required at least remarkable dexterity and patience in order to again render the fastener functional.

The danger that in the zone of connection the terminal members are not able to assume the necessary lengthwise or longitudinal position when the slider is moved in the closing direction cannot be reliably overcome, as experience has proven, also with the further known ratchet means provided for the connection arrangement, since the ratchet elements only then engage if the proper longitudinal position is provided. Furthermore, since such ratchet elements can possess only very small dimensions they, therefore, are extremely sensitive from the mechanical viewpoint.

It is also known to the art with fasteners provided with rows of coupling elements completely separable from one another, in which the terminal member of one row of coupling elements is brought into the fastener slider located in the open position from the wide slider end and to a sleeve seated at the other row of coupling elements, to provide the confronting narrow sides of the terminal members with at least one, preferably a plurality of teeth which, during their tilting towards one another brought about by the movement of the slider in the closing direction engage one another and should bring about an effective locking lengthwise and transversely. Such type fasteners also require careful handling if operational malfunctions are to be prevented.

Additionally, it is known to provide a lateral moveazsai srr Patented Get. 25, 1966 'ice ment in place of the insert or slip-in movement serving to connect the starting portions of both rows of coupling elements. In a known fastener of this type the components of the fastener bands located beneath the ends of the slider path are provided with lock members, of which one exhibits coupling plugs extending laterally with regard to the direction of movement of the fastener slider which engage in the other member and should be securely held by means of a spring-loaded lock extending parallel to the path of movement of the aforesaid fastener slider. These terminal members mounted in front of the locking members carry the rows of coupling ele ments, of which the one, during effecting the connection, is moved through the associated side slot of the slider. For the purpose of securement there is moreover provided at one of the lock members a carrier or support extending in front of the terminal members and which exhibits plugs or pins over which should engage eyelets applied at the bands. As a result, a tilting of the slider which has arrived in the open position out of the plane of the breadth of the fastener is required. Fasteners of this type have practically not proven to be satisfactory, because not only in the terminal region do they exhibit impractical large dimensions, rather, they also require a large member of sensitive parts and careful handling.

Accordingly, it is an important object of the present invention to provide a separable fastener of the heretofore mentioned type which is simple in construction, that is, does not possess any components which are subject to malfunction, and which, even with non-careful handling, obviates the danger that in the starting region of the rows of coupling elements there occurs a non-orderly engagement which could have the result of causing breakdown.

A further important object of the present invention resides in the provision of an improved separable fastener which is relatively simple in construction, easy and economical to manufacture, reliable in operation and easy to handle so that the danger of malfunctioning or in operativeness is practically eliminated.

These and other objects are essentially achieved in that, according to the invention, the mutual support of both of the terminal members directed away from the rows of coupling elements is constructed in the form of a guide or socket support releasable or disconnectable towards the side turned away from the rows of coupling elements and which pivotally guides a terminal member through the associated side slot of the fastener slider. In order to provide the fastening connection with such a physical structure, it is only necessary to bring about engagement of the members forming the socket support unit in that region of the fastener mounted in front of the frontal end or face of the slider directed away from the rows of coupling elements and, thereafter, to pivot the previously released terminal member into the fastener slider.

The arrangement can, thus, be readily selected in such a manner that, the pivoting-in can only then take place when the fastener slider assumes the required longitudinal or lengthwise position at the rows of coupling elements guiding it, that is, assumes the terminal position. If this should not occur then a stop or impact surface or the like can prevent the pivoting-in of the terminal member which is to be brought into the slider. Moreover, the socket support guarantees that upon displacement of the slider in the closing direction the lengthwise position of the terminal member introduced into the slider can no longer change. The support is, therefore, already given prior to the time that the fastener slider is moved in the sense of closing. Also, in this regard particular attention is not necessary during handling of the fastener.

The invention can be realized in a number of different ways. It is particularly advantageous to provide the terminal member which is pivotable with respect to the terminal member supporting the fastener slider at the end of the row of coupling elements with a projection extending past the width of the lateral or side slot of the fastener slider, the path of movement of which during pivoting of the terminal member lies in front of the frontal end of the fastener slider at the side of the row of coupling elements. Then it is possible to employ for the fastener a fastener slider of the standard type, whereby there further exists the security that the slider during pivoting-in and pivoting-out assumes the necessary lengthwise position at the row of coupling elements supporting it, because on the other hand the previously mentioned projection would prevent such pivoting-in and pivoting-out. Advantageously, with such a physical construction the projection forms the first coupling element of the associated row of coupling elements. As a result, at the same time there is guaranteed that even under unusual demands the pivotable terminal member with closed fastener cannot unintentionally be pivotably returned, in order from such end to thereby release the connection effected by the coupling elements, since the pivotable terminal member through the interposition of the projection constructed as a coupling element is directly interhooked or interengaged with the other row of coupling elements.

The terminal elements or members provided for the inventive fastener can, moreover, be configured in different manners. Particularly advantageous is a construction in which the terminal member supporting the slider in the terminal region turned away from the rows of coupling elements carries a bifurcated or forked extension forming the guide or socket support and the pivotable terminal element or member carries a projection provided with hearing pins engaging between the bifurcated arms of the socket support. As a result, there is engendered small dimensions for the terminal members and in addition to the reinforcement or support in the direction of movement of the fastener slider provided by the support socket there is at the same time provided a reliable coupling transverse to the plane of the breadth of the fastener.

While considering the fact that the terminal member arrangement in the position ready for separation and connection lies essentially within the fastener slider which has moyed into the open position, it is necessary to construct the terminal member of that row of coupling elements which guides the fastener slider such that it can accommodate itself to its form and that of its guide channel respectively. Additionally, it is recommended to divide such terminal member into a support element and a guide element pivotable with respect to the support element in the plane of the breadth of the fastener. The arrangement is, thus, advantageously selected in such a manner that the frontal surface of the guide element at the end of the row of coupling elements forms a supporting or bearing surface for the already mentioned projection, preferably constructed as a coupling element, of the terminal member which can pivot-in and pivot-out. Additionally, it is advantageous that the guide element is provided with guide surfaces embracing the guide ledges limiting or bounding the associated side slot of the fastening slider, in order to guarantee that during displacement of the slider upon the row of coupling elements guiding it, such always is reliably movable into the terminal position necessary for receiving the other terminal element, without thereby requiring any special attention.

The support element and the guide element arranged in front of the aforesaid support element can each independently be connected behind one another upon the relevant fastener carrier band. However, according to a further aspect of the invention it is recommendable to connect the support element with the guide element in the fastener lengthwise direction directly non-displaceably and pivotably in the plane of the width of the fastener. As a result, there is ensured that the support element with associated guide element forms a unit with unchanging length in the longitudinal or lengthwise direction of the fastener which is not dependent upon the form changing capability or carrying capacity of the fastener band.

Furthermore, it is advantageous in the interest of a faultless guiding of the slider, that is, to prevent coming to rest prior to reaching the terminal position determined for receiving the pivotable terminal member, to provide an arresting or impact arrangement for both members limiting the mobility of the guide element with respect to the associated hearing or support element in the direction towards the pivotable terminal element. As a result, there is further prevented that the closed fastener under unusual demands perhaps unintentionally loosens from the separable end.

The already mentioned direct lengthwise coupling of the support element with the guide element can be formed in a number of different ways. With the preferably nonmetallic terminal members injection molded onto the fastener hands it is recommendable to manufacture the support element with a projection which with subsequent injection molding of the guide element is embedded therein. The projection then provides a reliable lengthwise connection which, on account of the flexibility of the injection moldable material coming under consideration for such purposes, provides the necessary additional relatively small mobility.

Other features, objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent by reference to the following detailed description and drawing in which:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of the end of a closed separable or disconnectable fastener designed according to the teachings of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 illustrates the same elements of a separable fastener during coupling or uncoupling of the terminal elements or members of both rows of coupling elements, wherein the fastener slider is only depicted in phantom lines;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of the terminal member arrangement which is not releasable from the fastener slider;

FIGURE 4 is a side view of the terminal member or element depicted in FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged front view of the terminal member detachable from the slider; and

FIGURE 6 is a side view of the terminal member depicted in FIGURE 5.

Describing now the drawing, the fastener manifested in the illustrated embodiment, in known manner comprises two carrier tapes or hands 10 and 11. These bands 10 and 11 are provided at their confronting ends with rolls or beads 12 which support coupling elements or members 13. Preferably, the coupling elements 13 are composed of non-metallic materials and are formed directly at the edges of the beads 12 of the bands 10 and 11. In the illustrated embodiment, the coupling elements 13 at their base end exhibit guide rails 14 for the fastener slider. The latter is only depicted in FIGURE 2 in phantom lines and designated by reference numeral 15. Fasteners of this type are known to the art. In the sense of a complete separation of the bands 10 and 11 with the slider 15 moved into the open position visible in FIG- URE 2, the bands 10 and 11 are equipped with terminal elements or members releasable from one another, and generally designated by reference numerals 16 and 17, which like the coupling or closing elements 13 can be directly injection molded on the bands 10 and 11. However, it would also be possible to manufacture them in- Sependently and to apply them in known manner to the ands.

As best shown in FIGURES 3 and 4, the arrangement of the terminal member 17 embodies a bearing or support element 18 and a guide element 19. The support element 18 exhibits an attachment flange 20 which bears against both sides or faces of the carrier band 11 and which t-rans-.

forms into a thicker stop or impact portion 21. The stop portion 21 provided with a stop or arresting surface for the slider moved into the open position of the fastener, forms a shoulder or lug 22 extending past the longitudinal centrai plane of the closed fastener which is bifurcated parallel to the plane of the breadth of the carrier band 11, and in each bifurcated arm 22a forms a so-called guide or socket support 23. An extension or shoulder 24 providing a hearing or support surface extends into the space bounded by both of the flanges formed by the bifurcation, such shoulder 24 following a recess 25 serving for further lengthwise support. The support element 18 carries an extension or shoulder 26 above the recess 25 which cooperates with the guide element 19 which will hereinafter be described.

Furthermore, the support element 18 at both sides of the roll or bead 12 of the carrier tape or band 11 is provided with a respective neck or throat 27 transforming into a larger head 28. The head 28 is embedded in the guide element 19. This guide element 19 likewise spans the closure or carrier band 11 including its marginal bead 12 and partially extends past such. The guide element 19 carries at both of its breadth faces or sides bearing against the carrier band 11 a respective channelor trough-like guide rail 29 which engages at both sides the confronting edges of the flanges 15b of the slider 15.

For the purpose of supporting the guide element 19 with respect to the support element 18 there serves, on the one hand, the already-mentioned shoulder or extension 26 of the support element 18 and, on the other hand, a cam or dog 30 which engages in an appropriately configured groove or recess 30a of the support element 18. It is to be recognized that the guide element 19 can pivot in clockwise direction about the neck 27 while utilizing the elasticity of the same and out of the position illustrated in FIGURE 3, in order to accommodate itself to the slider 15 which has moved into the open position. On the other hand, the movement in counterclockwise direction is prevented by the projection or shoulder 26 and the engagement of the projection or cam 30 in the corresponding groove or recess 30a of the support element 18. It is still further to be mentioned that, the guide element 19 at its frontal face or side directed towards the associated row of coupling elements provides a hearing or support surface 31.

The terminal member or element 16 particularly illustrated in FIGURES 5 and 6 only extends a small amount past the width of the associated band 10. Such is cutaway at its lower portion at the side of the marginal head 12. The terminal member 16 incorporates a rearward portion bearing against both of the breadth faces of the band 10 and corresponds in thickness to that of the upper region of the already described support element 18 and the guide element 19. The rearward portion 35 carries a thinner edge or flange portion 36 which likewise bears against both of the breadth faces of the band 10. The narrow side of the edge portion 36 is arranged and configured in accordance with the projections in the bifurcated regions of the support element 18 and the guide element 19 respectively; and includes a projection 36a that seats in the recess 25 of support 18, whereby the terminal elements 16 and 17 mutually support each other in the direction of movement of the slider 15. In the lower region the edge portion 336 exhibits at both sides a respective protruding pin 37. In the coupled posit-ion, both of the pins 37 are inserted in the recesses of the guide or socket support 23.

In the region of the frontal surface or face directed towards the row of coupling elements the edge or flange portion 36 has an integral projection or lug 38 which extends past the narrow side contour, and additionally surmounts at both sides the thickness of the flange port-ion 36. The projection 38 at its upper side is constructed as a coupling element portion and provides at its lower side or face a bearing or support surface 39 which in the closing position bears against the already mentioned support sur face 31 of the guide element 19 (FIGURE 1). It is still to be mentioned that the thickness of the edge or flange portion 36 slightly falls below the inside width of the associated side slot, generally designated at 15a in FIGURE 2, of the fastener slider 15, whereas the thickness of the projection 38 is larger.

In order to explain the manner of operation of the inventive fastener it is assumed that the fastener was opened and separated at its ends and is now to be closed. In the open position the fastener slider 15, according to FIG- URE 2, is located in the lower terminal position in which its frontal surface turned away from the row of coupling elements bears against the impact or arresting surface of the support element portion 21. Due to the form or shape of the slider 15 it is required that in this position the guide element 19 is pivoted back in clockwise direction with respect to the position illustrated in FIGURE 3. In order to insert or suspend the band 10 with the terminal element 16, such at its lower end with its flange portion 36 is pushed between the bifurcated arms of the terminal support element 18 in such a manner that the pins 37 lie in the recesses of the socket supports or guides 23. This position is best illustrated in FIGURE 2. Then the terminal member 16, according to FIGURE 2, is pivoted in clockwise direction through the associated side slot 15:! of the fastener slider 15. This pivotal movement can take place until reaching an impact or stop position in which the narrow side of the member 16 bears against the heart of the slider. Such pivotable or rocking movement is only possible if the support pins 37 lie in orderly fashion in the socket supports 23 and the fastener slider 15 is located in the end or terminal position, since only then does the projection 38 find a free path of movement above the frontal end of thte slider 15 facing towards the row of coupling elements. In the event that the aforesaid pivotal movement has not taken place up to the necessary penetration depth, then it is not possible to move the slider 15 in the direction of closing, since such will abut against the stop or impact projection or surface 38. After the pivoting-in of the terminal member 16 it is only necessary to move the slider 15 in the direction towards the closing position in order to reliably ensure the engagement of the terminal members 16 and 17, since such at their bottom face are coupled by the socket-type support device 23, 37 and at their upper side a separation is impossible on account of the interhooking or engagement of the coupling elements, whereby with the illustrated embodirnent the terminal member or element 16 with the interposition of the projection 38 is directly coupled with the first coupling element of the band 11. Consequently, a pivoting of the terminal members out of their engagement position is reliably prevented. In addition thereto, no sort of lengthwise displacement of both of the terminal members or elements can take place because the pins 37 on the one hand and the projection 38 on the other hand of the member 16 bear against oppositely disposed mutual support or bearing surfaces of the terminai member arrangement 18, 19.

While there is shown and described a present preferred embodiment of the invention it is to be distinctly understood that the invention is not limited thereto but may be otherwise variously embodied and practised within the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A fastener comprising a pair of rows of coupling elements, a respective terminal member seated at each row of coupling elements capable of being releasably coupled with one another, a fastener slider provided with side slot means and operable with said pair of rows of coupling elements which when moved into its open position completely separates said pair of rows of coupling elements by uncoupling said terminal members, one of said terminal members guidably supporting said fastener slider and being divided into a support element and a guide element pivoted with respect to said support element in the plane of the breadth of the fastener, and the other of said terminal members being detachable from said fastener slider through its associated side stlOt means, said. terminal members including operatively engageable projection and recess means supporting the terminal elements in the direction of movement of the fastener slider, the separation movement taking place transverse to the direction of movement of said fastener slider in the plane of the breadth of the fastener and bringing out of operable engagement said projection means, whereby the detachable terminal member is moved away from the terminal member guiding the fastener slider through the associated side slot means of said fastener slider, said terminal members being provided with further mutual support means directed away from said rows of coupling elements, said mutual support means being constructed in the form of socket support means releasable towards a side facing away from said rows of coupling elements and which pivotably guides said other terminal member through the associated side slot means of said fastener slider.

2. A fastener as defined in claim 1, wherein said other terminal member has a projection extending past the width of the associated side slot means of the fastener slider, the path of movement of which upon pivoting said other terminal member lies in front of the frontal end of the fastener slider at the side of the rows of coupling elemcnts.

3. The fastener as defined in claim 2, including a surface associated With said other terminal member for supporting said extending projection.

4. A fastener as defined in claim 2 wherein said extending projection provides the first coupling element for the associated row of coupling elements.

5. A fastener as defined in claim 1 wherein said one terminal member guidably supporting said fastener slider in the terminal region thereof directed away from said rows of coupling elements incorporates bifurcated extension means including bifurcated arms providing a component of said socket support means, and said other detachable pivotable terminal member being provided with a portion exhibiting pin means engaging between said bifurcated arms and providing another component of said socket support means.

6. A fastener as defined in claim 1 wherein said fastener slider includes guide ledges bounding the associated side slot means, said guide element being provided with guide surfaces embracing said guide ledges at the inside and the outside.

7. A fastener as defined in claim 6 wherein said support element supports said fastener slider and is non-displaceably connected with said guide element in the lengthwise direction of the fastener and pivotably connected with said guide element in the plane of the breadth of the fastener.

8. A fastener as defined in claim 7 wherein said pair of rows of coupling elements include respective carrier bands, said terminal members being injection molded at said carrier bands and preferably formed of non-metallic material, said support element supporting said fastener slider being formed with a projection which with subsequent injection molding of said guide element is embedded in the latter.

9. A fastener as defined in claim 7 including stop means provided for said terminal members for limiting the mobility of the guide element with respect to the support element in the direction of said other pivotable terminal member.

10. A fastener as defined in claim 1 wherein said support element supports said fastener slider and is non-displaceably connected with said guide element in the lengthwise direction of the fastener and pivotably connected with said guide element in the plane of the breadth of the fastener.

11. A fastener as defined in claim 10 wherein said pair of rows of coupling elements include respective carrier bands, said terminal member being injection molded at said carrier bands and preferably formed of non-metallic material, said support element supporting said fastener slider and being formed with a projection which with subsequent injection molding of said guide element is embedded in the latter.

12. A fastener as defined in claim 10 including stop means provided for said terminal members for limiting the mobility of the guide element with respect to the support element in the direction of said other pivotable terminal member.

13. A fastener as defined in claim 1 including stop means provided for said terminal members for limiting the mobility of the guide element with respect to the support element in the direction of said other pivotable terminal member.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,785,715 12/1930 Norton 24205.ll 1,984,378 12/1934 Manson 24205.ll 2,093,973 9/1937 Clark 24205.l1 3,104,438 9/1963 Scarpini 24-2051 1 BERNARD A. GELAK, Primary Examiner. 

1. A FASTENER COMPRISING A PAIR OF ROWS OF COUPLING ELEMENTS, A RESPECTIVE TERMINAL MEMBER SEATED AT EACH ROW OF COUPLING ELEMENTS CAPABLE OF BEING RELEASABLY COUPLED WITH ONE ANOTHER, A FASTENER SLIDER PROVIDED WITH SIDE SLOT MEANS AND OPERABLE WITH SAID PAIR OF ROWS OF COUPLING ELEMENTS WHICH WHEN MOVED INTO ITS OPEN POSITION COMPLETELY SEPARATES SAID PAIR OF ROWS OF COUPLING ELEMENTS BY UNCOUPLING SAID TERMINAL MEMBERS, ONE OF SAID TERMINAL MEMBERS GUIDABLY SUPPORTING SAID FASTENER SLIDER AND BEING DIVIDED INTO A SUPPORT ELEMENT AND A GUIDE ELEMENT PIVOTED WITH RESPECT TO SAID SUPPORT ELEMENT IN THE PLANE OF THE BREADTH OF THE FASTENER, AND THE OTHER OF SAID TERMINAL MEMBERS BEING DETACHABLE FROM SAID FASTENER SLIDER THROUGH ITS ASSOCIATED SIDE SLOT MEANS, SAID TERMINAL MEMBERS INCLUDING OPERATIVELY ENGAGEABLE PROJECTION AND RECESS MEANS SUPPORTING THE TERMINAL ELEMENTS IN THE DIRECTION OF MOVEMENT OF THE FASTENER SLIDER, THE SEPARATION MOVEMENT TAKING PLACE TRANSVERSE TO THE DIRECTION OF MOVEMENT OF SAID FASTENER SLIDER IN THE PLANE OF THE BREADTH OF THE FASTENER AND BRINGING OUT OF OPERABLE ENGAGEMENT SAID PROJECTION MEANS, WHEREBY THE DETACHABLE TERMINAL MEMBER IS MOVED AWAY FROM THE TERMINAL MEMBER GUIDING THE FASTENER SLIDER THROUGH THE ASSOCIATED SIDE SLOT MEANS OF SAID FASTENER SLIDER, SAID TERMINAL MEMBERS BEING PROVIDED WITH FURTHER MUTUAL SUPPORT MEANS DIRECTED AWAY FROM SAID ROWS OF COUPLING ELEMENTS, SAID MUTUAL SUPPORT MEANS BEING CONSTRUCTED IN THE FORM OF SOCKET SUPPORT MEANS RELEASABLE TOWARDS A SIDE FACING AWAY FROM SAID ROWS OF COUPLING ELEMENTS AND WHICH PIVOTABLY GUIDES SAID OTHER TERMINALS MEMBER THROUGH THE ASSOCIATED SIDE SLOT MEANS OF SAID FASTENER SLIDER. 